Rapid Pathogen Identification With Direct Application of MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry on an Endophthalmitis Vitreous Sample Without Prior Culture. (July 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chun, Lindsay Y.; Dolle Molle, Laura; Schneewind, Olaf; Missiakas, Dominique; Beavis, Kathleen G.; Skondra, Dimitra
• Is Part Of: Journal of vitreoretinal diseases. Volume 3:Number 4(2019)
• Page Start: 255
• Page End: 259
• Publication Date: 2019-07
• Subjects: bleb-related endophthalmitis -- culture -- endophthalmitis -- inflammatory and infectious diseases -- MALDI-TOF MS -- mass spectrometry -- matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry -- microbiology -- retina -- vitreoretinal surgery; Retina -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Vitreous body -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Retina -- Diseases; Vitreous body -- Diseases; Periodicals; 617.735005
• DOI: 10.1177/2474126419847635
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2474-1264

Abstract

Purpose: We report a case of a 72-year-old man with bleb-related endophthalmitis (BRE) whose vitreous samples were directly analyzed with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) to rapidly identify the causative organism, whereas the results from conventional microbiological techniques were negative. Methods: We analyzed BRE vitreous samples with MALDI-TOF MS (Vitek MS, bioMérieux) for rapid pathogen identification without prior culture. Samples were also analyzed with standard microbiological methods. Results: Within 1 hour of sample acquisition, MALDI-TOF MS identified Gemella sanguinis from the undiluted vitreous sample from vitrectomy without prior culture with a confidence value of 99.7%. Gram stain and cultures from aqueous and vitreous samples were negative for 28 days after acquisition. The patient's right-eye vision improved from hand motion to 20/50 2 months later. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that the direct analysis of intraocular samples with MALDI-TOF MS could be a novel, promising adjuvant method of rapid endophthalmitis diagnosis.